An exploration of ventilation-associated events prevention practices in Australian adult intensive care units

Mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours is associated with life-threatening complications, which can cause prolonged hospital stay, disability and even death. There are recommended guidelines for prevention of mechanical ventilation complications, but prevention of mechanical ventilation complications is still poorly understood. Auxillia Madhuvu’s study explores how these life-threatening complications were prevented in ICU. It examines the nurses’ knowledge and adherence of nurses and doctors to the available recommended guidelines. Auxillia’s study shows that factors such as education, availability of resources, unit culture, workplace stress can influence the use of evidence-based guidelines to prevent mechanical ventilation complications.